Ongo employs nine new people through government funded scheme

Ongo has employed nine young people, who are at the start of their careers, through the government backed Kickstart scheme.

The scheme was set up to provide funding for employers to create six month long placements for people between 16 and 24 years old, and currently receiving Universal Credit.

The government funds each placement, paying them national minimum wage for 25 hours a week, with no limit to how many can be taken on.

So far Ongo has employed nine young people to work within their neighbourhood services, homelessness support and employment support teams, and at their community café based in The Arc in Scunthorpe.

Ross Taylor, who has been employed through Kickstart said: “This has been the best job I have had in my life. I have been here for four weeks and I’m really enjoying it because I’m always doing and learning new things.

I look forward to waking up in the morning and coming to work, as I really enjoy it, I almost wish I could come for more hours. It’s a great scheme.”

Along with taking on their own placements, Ongo has launched a dedicated project to support other local businesses to take on their own too, with an aim of placing 90 young people between November 2020 and October 2021.

Maryanne Fitzgerald, Engagement and Enterprise Manager at Ongo is leading on the project. She commented: “It’s brilliant for us to be helping other businesses to take on young people, and for our organisation to also be stepping up to support them.

“Not only does it help the local economy, but it gives those starting out in their career the skills and experience they need to progress.

“So far the scheme has been hugely successful and we are extremely excited to offer even more opportunities at Ongo and further afield in the future.”

Advice and additional training is available throughout all placements, along with wraparound mentoring and support.

Then after the six months, if further work isn’t available, Ongo’s Employment Support team will step in to provide extra job skills, qualifications and help individuals to apply for permanent employment.

If you’re a local business and you think you could take someone on a placement, please call the team on 01724 844848. Or if you are interested in the scheme, please speak to your Work Coach at the Job Centre to find out what roles you can apply for.